Book Review: The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have never read an Elif Shafak book before and I will be honest the title of the book did leave me a little sceptical to begin with. The spiritual and natural feel that you get from just looking at the front cover was something very new to me. I have not read anything in this genre or style before so this book was approached with great caution. However, if the phrase ‘never judge a book by its cover’ could be appropriate for any book, it would definitely be this one! By the end of the book, I was completely immersed in the narrative. There are so many different elements intertwined within the text: nature, war, politics and mythology. A mixture of trivia and anecdotal writing, Shafak's text is not only beautifully written, but it is both rich and moving. After reading this book, there is no doubt that this is a part of history that should be taught and spoken of more.

About The Book:

At the heart of this narrative is the story of young Ada, who is trying to navigate herself in the world after the recent loss of her mother. In her battle with grief, Ada seeks comfort in the discovery of her parent’s Cypriot heritage; a history that her family refuses to speak of. Ada’s story is interlaced with the story of her parent’s relationship - set during the Turkish invasion of 1974, we learn about how Cyprus had once become divided. For a reader who is unfamiliar with the history of Cyprus, Shafak gracefully details the violence that took over the nation and how these disasters reshape individuals' ordinary lives. It can be read as both educational and inspirational.

A tale of two star crossed lovers, Kostas (Greek Cypriot) and Defne (Turkish Cypriot), whose love secretly grows under the watch of a Fig Tree. The tree becomes one of the most important symbols throughout the book, it is where the war breaks out, where Kostas and Defne find love and, most importantly, it is how Ada begins to connect to her troubled identity. One of the most striking aspects of Shafak's work is the way in which the tree's voice comes to life, dedicating chapters to it's own thoughts, feelings and discoveries. A reminder that even nature can experience trauma and loss in a similar way to us humans.

The ending itself deserves its own award. The final chapter turns everything you thought about the book completely around. It has been a long time since I've cried at a book, but it is safe to say that every emotion was gripped as I approached the end of this magical tale. This may have been my first Shafak book, but it definitely will not be my last!